Dauphin County school district approves patrols by armed officer

(Harrisburg) -- A central Pennsylvania school district has decided to have an armed, part-time school resource officer conduct patrols at its three middle schools.

The Central Dauphin School Board has voted on the matter without any discussion. Superintendent Carol Johnson says the action stems from an offer extended by the Lower Paxton Township Police Department last fall.

Under the idea approved by the board, the officer will visit Central Dauphin Middle School, Central Dauphin East Middle School and Linglestown Middle School at unannounced times twice a week.

Johnson says the decision is not related to last month's school shooting in Newtown, Conn. She also says the district has not discussed the idea of arming school staff.